Water stations run dry as hottest London Marathon takes its toll
Helena Horton
Francesca Marshall
RUNNERS had been warned that yesterday’s London Marathon was going to be the hottest on record and were no doubt prepared for a tough time.
But what they hadn’t factored in were the pit-stops at local pubs and shops for their mid-race refreshments.
Some runners were forced to add in their own detours for some much needed hydration after being left without water for large stretches of the marathon after volunteers ran out.
Mobile water stations had to be dispatched to provide runners with refreshment after stations between miles eight and ten ran out.
Race organisers had previously urged runners to reconsider aiming for personal bests and suggested ditching fancy dress costumes amid the unseasonably warm April weather.
The Duke pub in Deptford was serving cups of waters to race competitors while it was also reported on Twitter that “runners are going into shops on route to buy drinks”.
Even Sir Mo Farah ran into trouble when he was unable to find his water bottle at two drink stations.
Sir Mo said volunteers were more interested in taking selfies than handing out water as temperatures at St James’s Park in London hit 75.3F (24.1C), according to the Met Office, while runners said they had to go into shops to purchase drinks because of shortages. Previously, the warmest marathon was 72.6F in 1996 and 2007.
“The drinks stations were confusing,” Sir Mo said.
“The staff were helpful at the end but at the beginning they were trying to take a picture rather than giving me the drink.
“I was saying to the people on motorbikes to tell the staff to be a bit helpful instead of taking pictures.
“I wasn’t wasting energy, I just needed a drink. I had to get it right.
Despite this, the Olympic gold medallist managed to become the fastest ever British marathon runner, crossing the line at a time of 2:06:21, comfortably clear of Steve Jones’s 33-year-old British record of 2:07:13.
Some runners were seen collapsing after organisers warned participants not to over-exert themselves because of the heat. Many claimed there was a seven-mile stretch where there was no water to be found.
Marathon organisers confirmed on Twitter that there were shortages at eight of its stations, writing: “Lorries with our additional contingency supply are topping up other water stations on the route and mobile water stations are currently being dispatched to provide runners with water.”
They later said: “We have supplied additional water from our contingency stocks to water stations 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 23.” One participant hit back: “Mile 7 and 9 ran out at 12 noon with 1,000s still running. Some people running 7 miles between drink stations. Runners going into shops on route to buy drinks. The change to the drinks stations has failed runners.”
Contacted for comment by The Telegraph, London Marathon organisers pointed to their tweets, and said there would be no further statement.